FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso and Freeholder John P. Curley welcomed New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett and Assistant Commissioner Christopher Rinn to the Monmouth County Health Department today for an update on the County’s efforts in monitoring the Zika situation.

The Commissioner was on hand to listen to the County’s collaborative efforts in fighting mosquito-borne diseases. With the emergence of Zika virus, Monmouth County is using extensive measures to educate the public about preventing vector-borne diseases including West Nile virus.

“The County’s Health Department and Mosquito Control Division are doing a tremendous job monitoring the Zika situation, and we hope to never see Zika here in Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Curley. “Our County employees are out there every day in the various towns and waterways; making sure they are aware of everything that is happening, and are able to answer all of the residents’ concerns.”

The presentation covered a wide-variety of Monmouth County health initiatives. Topics included Zika educational programs, volunteer engagement, outreaches, as well its Healthy Traveler Education and Immunization program.

“We can’t emphasize enough how important education is in the fight against Zika, West Nile and all mosquito borne illnesses,” said Freeholder DiMaso. “Residents can empower themselves in the fight against mosquitoes by attending one of the County’s great programs and by learning how to control the spread of the population in their own backyard. The County has created a Mosquito Habitat Checklist that details all of the ways you can protect your home from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes.”

The Monmouth County Health Department and the Mosquito Control Division offer information about their educational programs to residents, as well as regularly-updated information on the County’s website www.VisitMonmouth.com.

“I commend Monmouth County for educating residents about all vector-borne illnesses, not just Zika, and for staying on top of all of the emerging issues,” said Commissioner Bennett. “I am also impressed by the partnership between the various Monmouth County Departments in addressing these matters. The coordination and collaboration between the different departments is essential to making sure the right actions are taken at the right times.”

Commissioner Bennett, along with other state officials, listened to the presentations lead by Monmouth County Public Health Officer, Christopher Merkel.

“The Health Department is working very closely with the Mosquito Control Division and the State to ensure that we stay ahead of all mosquito-borne illnesses,” said Merkel. “We encourage the public to stay informed as well and attend one of the education programs offered or one of our upcoming health forums, which are all free of charge.”

The County is conducting a series of public health forums this summer to discuss the latest information about the Zika Virus and mosquito-related issues. The forums are aimed at promoting the County initiative to join the campaign to Fight the Bite against mosquito-borne diseases like the Zika Virus and other diseases.

Upcoming forums are scheduled for:

Wednesday, July 13: 7 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, August 4: 7 to 8 p.m.

The public forums will be hosted by the Monmouth County Library and sponsored by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County Board of Health, Monmouth County Regional Health Commission, Monmouth Health Consortium, Shrewsbury Borough Board of Health and the Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division.

For more information, call Monmouth County Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630 or visit www.visitmonmouth.com and click on the Fight the Bite button.

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